Cat adoption fees waived for long timers

Zoolander is a long-timer available for adoption

Courtesy of the MD SPCA

(Courtesy of the MD SPCA)

By Kim Fernandez For The Baltimore Sun

Are you ready for some purr-ball? To help spread the love at the start of football season (go Ravens!), the Maryland SPCA is waiving all adoption fees for long-time shelter MVPs. Add a homeless kitty to your family for just the $17 pet ID package fee, which includes collar, ID tags, microchip, and Baltimore City license. It's a great opportunity to get years of unconditional love from a cat who's been waiting for the same thing for a long time.

Adopting a cat is about to get a lot easier in Harford County. The Humane Society (HSHC) there will host the grand opening of its Rescue Me! at Harford Mall on Saturday, Sept. 21, opening the doors of the region’s first deluxe cat adoption center and boutique in a shopping mall.

You know those Sarah McLaughlin-narrated ads about puppy mills? The ones with the horrific pictures of dogs in unthinkable conditions? I flip the station as quickly as possible (I'm pretty sure everyone does), but her message is a good one.

Here's a collection of a few of the dogs, cats and other critters in the Baltimore area who need homes. Be sure to check with the shelter before you go to verify that the animal you want is still there.